Game Recap: Duda Homers in Support of Niese in 3-1 Win

The Braves delayed the start of their series opener against the Mets last night to honor Chipper Jones in one of his last regular season games as a professional baseball player. Thankfully for New York, they were able to spoil his night by stealing a win from them in the late innings, something that just never happens when the Amazins travel to Turner Field.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

On a night where the offense went down in order five times, they were able to put a rally together to win the game in the seventh inning. Daniel Murphy hit his 39th double of the season to lead things off, and Ike Davis was intentionally walked, which eventually brought up Lucas Duda with two out; he made it hurt with his 15th homer of 2012, a three-run blast that went over the right field wall. New York tried to add on in the eighth, as Jordany Valdespin walked, Ruben Tejada doubled, and Murphy was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. However, David Wrightgrounded into a double play to end the inning and the threat. Duda was the only play to register a multi-hit game.

Sep 28, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets right fielder Lucas Duda (21) is congratulated by teammates first baseman Ike Davis (29) and second baseman Daniel Murphy (28) after Duda hit a home run against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Mets defeated the Braves 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-US PRESSWIRE

Braves Offensive Highlights:

Atlanta couldn’t muster much of anything against Jonathon Niese and the Mets pitching staff, as they collected only four hits as a team, with their lone run coming on a Freddie Freeman home run in the fourth inning. They were retired in order four times last night, and used three walks to try and start rallies, but nothing came of them. There was only one at-bat for them with runners in scoring position last night, and it came in the second inning, as Dan Uggla walked and Andrelton Simmons singled. Unfortunately, Tim Hudson was up next, and he grounded out to finish the inning.

Pitching Highlights:

Hudson pitched well in his final start before the Braves entere the playoffs, but it was the Duda long ball that killed his chances at a victory, giving him his seventh loss of the season instead. The veteran starter threw 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts. Cory Gearrin and Cristhian Martinez gave up 1 hit over the final two innings to hold the Mets scoreless, but the Braves hitters couldn’t mount any sort of comeback.

In Niese’s final start of the season, he registered his eighth consecutive quality start, while capturing a career-high 13th win of the season. The young southpaw went 7 innings, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Manny Acosta and Justin Hampson combined to pitch the eighth, striking out 2, and Bobby Parnell registered his 6th save of the season (his second in a row), by setting down the order in the ninth.

New York’s season record is now 73-84, ensuring that they won’t be losing 90 games this year with their third win in a row, and 7 out of their last 10.

Probable Pitchers Saturday:

Chris Young (4-8, 4.21 ERA) will head to the mound for his final start of the year, as he’s looking forward to not be rehabbing an injury during the winter months. He will face off against the young Mike Minor (10-10, 4.27 ERA). First pitch in the ATL is set for 7:10pm.